Murder By Words

Gossip is ugly.

Recently, a very good friend of mine was accused of saying something that simply is not true. They were accused of refusing to help Person A out because of how Person B felt about person A. That did not happen, but it didn't stop Person A from telling a whole bunch of people about it.

I have known my friend and Person B for a number of years. I know exactly what happened in this situation. I know the truth. I don't know if my friend or Person B knows the extent Person A went in this, but they scattered it pretty far and wide.

Now it doesn't matter what the truth is, because my friend has had undue harm done to their reputation. Had Person A simply gone to my friend and asked about it, the air would have been cleared. Had Person A followed what Jesus said in Matthew 18:15-17 instead of gossiping, people wouldn't be thinking my friend said something harsh and untrue.

I read story once that went something like this:

A woman who had been gossiping about a friend came to ask for forgiveness. The friend said that she would forgive her, but she needed her to do something to help. She asked her to go and collect a bag of feathers and then come back to see her. She gave her a puzzled look but shrugged it off and went off to collect the feathers

The next day she returned with the bag. Her friend asked her to go out and place a feather on a different street corner until the bag was empty. She again went out and did what her friend asked. When she was done several days later, she returned to see her friend once more. Her friend thanked her for her efforts, then asked her to go and collect all the feathers into the bag and bring them back. She told her friend that it would be impossible since by now all of the feathers had blown away and could not be recovered.

Her friend then said that the same thing happens when we gossip. We might be able to ask for forgiveness, but the consequences and damages often spread farther than we’d imagined.

Think before you speak ill of another. Go to that person first and try and settle it between the two of you. If that doesn't work, try again with an impartial person. But don't go to someone else and spread lies.

¹⁶ These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19, New King James Version)

Laundry...

Being married rocks! More to come later, including a bunch of pics.

Today is the day...

Carol and I are getting married in just a few hours. Think she's ready for me?

 

Thanks to all of you for your friendship and prayers.

Rage Against the Parking Lot

After church today I had to stop over at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a bath rug (it's a domestic thing I was unaware of until recently) and Target for a few other items and had a little trouble in the parking lot.

The shopping plaza where BB&Y is located is fairly busy, there are a number of popular stores there, and we Westsiders don't like to venture out into the wilds beyond our own comfortable environs. I got lucky and scored a fairly close parking spot, right between my two destinations. I went in to BB&Y, wandered a few minutes gawking at stuff, found what I needed, and headed back to my car to put the bag in my trunk before heading over to Target. As I walked down the row where I parked, behind me I heard a car turn into the row. I popped my trunk, put my bag in, closed her up, and headed towards Target.

HONK

I kept walking

HONK HONNNNNNNNNNK

I turned around. The woman driving the car I heard had her turn signal on and was pointing at my car. I looked at my car, didn't see anything wrong, and turned back towards Target

HONNNNNNNNNNK HONNNNNNNNNNK HONNNNNNNNNNK

I turned around again, and saw her saying "I want that f*****g space!" and pointing again at my car. I pointed at Target and said "Sorry."

She went freaking nuts.

She had kids in the car.

She was screaming and flipping me off and ranting and raving like I just defiled one of her children. I mean she was going absolutely nuts. Her poor kids in the back seat looked horrified. Didn't stop her. She was flinging F-bombs and all kinds of fun stuff my way. All over a parking spot.

I walked away. I walked towards Target instead of engaging in this battle, there no way for anyone to win it. And this was just over a parking spot. I'd hate to see what she'd do over something really serious, like a hangnail or spilled milk. And those kids, with that kind of rage she was showing, I'd hate to see what their home life is like. I'd hate to see how she is around Christmas when the parking lots are really full. I'd hate to see her blood pressure.

Why? What good did it to? It terrified her kids, and didn't get her a parking spot. I just don't understand. I hope she found some peace.